Key facts
- Over 256,000 people protested nationwide for school funding.
- Police used tear gas and riot-control weapons, leading to injuries.
- More than 6,100 arrests were made, primarily of minors.
- A 15-year-old boy lost a hand due to a police stun grenade.
- Protests have been linked to broader discontent over economic issues and inequality.
French police deployed tear gas and riot control measures as over 250,000 people demonstrated nationwide on Tuesday, primarily in support of students demanding increased education funding. The protests, which began in mid-September, have escalated into a significant movement, intensifying pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's administration. Demonstrations occurred in major cities like Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg, with some clashes reported in the capital. The Interior Ministry reported 256,000 participants nationally, including 56,000 in Paris. The government defended the police response as proportionate, though incidents involving severe injuries, including a 15-year-old boy losing a hand to a stun grenade, have drawn criticism. Over 6,100 arrests, mostly of minors, have been made during class boycotts and school blockades. These protests echo broader discontent in France regarding fuel prices, public spending, poverty, and wealth inequality, drawing parallels to the 2018 Yellow Vest movement.